IMO E


A. doubling those reported in the 1977 survey - use of those incorrect, no clear antecedent. Incorrect meaning

B. to double the number the 1977 survey reported- need an "ing" modifier instead of an infinitive

C. twice those the 1977 survey reported
same issue as A.

D. twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey - usage of as much as is incorrect

Why is as much as wrong in D ?

as we are comparing the percents here "20 percent of young adults", which are countable, therefore "as much as is wrong".

I also think that we should use "twice" for comparison
But the OA is E.
Please comment on the issue

According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.

A. doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
B. to double the number the 1977 survey reported
C. twice those the 1977 survey reported
D. twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
E. twice the number reported in the 1977 survey

answer is E , because (the number) used in E correctly reffers to adults.

in D. those refers to adults, but as much as can not be used for countable adults.

correct me if i am wrong............

siddharth rastogi wrote: in D. those refers to adults, but as much as can not be used for countable adults.

correct me if i am wrong............

GREAT! I see my mistake! Thank you!!!